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Chapter 41 of 41

Ellipsis and Substitution

Avoid repetition with recoverable omission and forms such as one, do, and so.

36 minutes 10 quick checksBy Subha Prasad
Lesson 41 of 41Course navigation

Lesson content

Read, practise, then check your understanding

Ellipsis omits language recoverable from context; substitution replaces it with forms such as one/ones, do, so, or not. These devices create cohesion, but omission must leave meaning and grammar recoverable.

Patterns and examples

  • I ordered tea, and Mira did too. (did = ordered tea)
  • I prefer the red shirt to the blue one.
  • Will they come? I think so.
  • Ari can play the guitar, and Mira can too.

Notice how form and meaning work together. Read examples aloud, identify the controlling word or clause, and compare them with nearby alternatives before applying the pattern in new writing.

Practice sentences

  • Replace repeated noun/verb phrases.
  • Decide whether ellipsis creates ambiguity in a short dialogue.

After answering, explain the rule in your own words and create one original sentence using the same structure.

Knowledge check

Answer every question correctly to complete this chapter.

Which explanation correctly describes ellipsis?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Omission of recoverable words to avoid repetition.
Which explanation correctly describes substitution?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Replacement with a form such as one, do, or so.
Which explanation correctly describes do-so substitution?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Use of do so to replace a verb phrase.
Which explanation correctly describes one/ones?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Nominal substitutes replacing a count noun phrase head.
Which explanation correctly describes comparative ellipsis?
Which grammar term matches this explanation: Omission of repeated material after than/as when recoverable.

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